Medieval Art

TRS501.14.
P1 FINAL PRESENTATION
MEDIEVAL ART
Submitted by Group 4 MANUSCRIPT FOR PRESENTATION

Nguyễn Ánh Đăng Khoa - HE181252
SUBMITTED TO Edgardo C. Momo
Nguyễn Hoàng Anh - HE180393
Vũ Đức Hải – HE181844 February 21, 2023
1
TRS501.14.P1 FINAL PRESENTATION
Acknowledgement
Entering the FPT University for the first time, we have seen many new things that we and
many students like us are curious about. Also, we are here to take our diploma for a brighter
future, for a better life and for more things to learn.
This manuscript is a proof for what we have learned and studied from the lesson that both
of you have taught us to pass the Transition 5.
I am grateful to the classmates at TRS501.14 and FPT University as well for helping us to
study in every lesson we have. New environment, new way to learn and new things to study.
They have helped us a lot on the way to study and do activities. Now, we are confident
and integrated enough to face the new challenges.
Huge thanks to our teacher, Mr.Edgardmomo and Mrs.Thanh. You have helped
us to study many new things and teach us how to write and read correctly. Your guidance
and useful advice have helped us a lot to create this manuscript and show what we have
learned from lessons. You guys are fantastic teachers
1
Abstract
People started to know about art from the early centuries. Many kinds of art started to grow
as a school in the Middle Age and one of the most influential is Medieval Art. The Middle
Ages was the period in European history from the collapse of Roman civilization in the 5th
century CE to the period of the Renaissance (variously interpreted as beginning in the 13th,
14th, or 15th century, depending on the region of Europe and other factors). In that time,
Medieval art grew up as the lead of the artist in many kinds of things like architecture,
manuscripts and pictures. Inside Medieval art are many kinds of different art like Christian,
Byzantine, Insular etc. Each of these art have a signal to identify and make it become a
signature for each of its. This paper explores Medieval art, creates a big and long term
influence on the history of art, and takes a seat on the mindset of many artists in the future.
2
Table of contents
I. Intro
1. Overview ..................................................................... 5
II. Period of Medieval Art
1. Christian art ……………………………………6
a. Overview………………………………………..6
b. Early Christian Art……………………………...7
c. Byzantine Empire with Christian Art…………...7
2. Migration Period Art
a. Overview………………………………………...9
b. Polychrome Style………………………………..9
c. Animal Style…………………………………….10
d. Germanic and Christian Art Mix………………..10
3. Byzantine Art
a. Overview………………………………………...11
b. Byzantine Art Definition………………………...11
c. Byzantine Mosaics………………………………12
d. Byzantine Religious Art…………………………13
4. Insular art
a. Overview ………………………………………..14
b. Insular Art Illuminated Manuscripts…………….15
c. Insular Art Metalwork…………………………...15
d. Insular Art Sculpture…………………………….16
5. Romanesque art
a. Overview ………………………………………...17
b. Romanesque Art History…………………………18
c. Romanesque Art Characteristics…………………18
d. Romanesque Artists………………………………19
e. Romanesque Art Icons……………………………21
6. Gothic art
a. Overview………………………………………….23
3
b. Definition of Gothic Art…………………………24

c. Early Gothic Art…………………………………25
d. Late Gothic Art…………………………………..26
e. Famous Gothic Art………………………………27
III. Conclusion……………………………………………….29
IV. References……………………………………………….30
4
I. Introduction
Overview
The history of medieval art spans from around c. 476 with the fall of the Roman Empire up
to the beginning of the Renaissance period in the 15th century.
Art during this period evolved together with human experiences, especially on topics such as
traditional and new biblical concepts, Christian dogma, and mythology.
During this period, the church financed many projects, including the early Christian art found
in the Roman catacombs and burial crypts.
There are many types of medieval arts. In fact, medieval art has continually advanced
throughout medieval times. Some of these advances were brought about by the emergence of
the Pre-Renaissance period whose early subjects were restricted to religious artworks called
Pietistic paintings that also came in different forms such as illuminated manuscripts, mosaics
and fresco paintings and were to be found in churches.
These types of medieval arts included the Anglo-Saxon art and Norse art.
One of the most remarkable characteristics of medieval art was its vivid color. Most of these
artworks also did not make use of perspective and the figures, therefore, conveyed clear
emotions.
Most art historians also point out that in these medieval art pieces, the important figures were
shown and appeared to be larger than the other figures surrounding them.
5
II. Period of Medieval Art
1. Christian art
a. Overview
Christian Art refers to the immense volume of art

in many different forms which was commissioned
by the Church or used Christian symbolism since
the inception of Christianity.
The most fertile period of Christian art was the

medieval era during which the Catholic Church
assumed a formal and powerful position in
European affairs.
IMG 1. Christian Art Illuminated Manuscripts
Consequently, the Church came to be in a position
to commission a large variety of art in the form of
paintings, frescoes, murals, sculptures, and
manuscripts.
A sizable body of this art survives to this day,

thanks largely to the continued existence of the
Roman Catholic Church throughout the medieval
period and later.
IMG 2. Medieval Pope and his Cardinals
6
b. Early Christian Art

Early Christian art was directly affected by classical Roman and Greek art because
Christianity originated in the Roman Empire.
IMG 3. Boxer at Rest
Murals and frescoes, which were first created in Christian believers' houses and later in
churches after Christianity was made legal in the early fourth century, were the earliest
examples of art with Christian themes.
Sculptural stone and ivory ornaments were also utilized in churches during this time to
represent biblical themes. Christian art also began to move away from Roman realism around
this time and more toward theological idealism.
c. Byzantine Empire with Christian Art
The Byzantine Empire was the most potent political force in all of Europe after the fall of the
Roman Empire.
As Christianity was proclaimed the Empire's official religion, it became a center for the faith.
7
The Eastern Orthodox Church or the Emperor himself frequently supported Christian art in
the Byzantine Empire from the fifth century until its destruction in the fifteenth.
Constantinople, the capital of the Empire, featured some of the most iconic pieces of
Christian art of all times.
The most popular form of Christian art in the Empire was mosaics which were used to adorn
buildings, icons that were often used by believers in their homes, and murals.
Some of the most iconic murals depicting Christian themes were painted during the golden
period of the Empire, many of them surviving to this day in Ravenna and Constantinople.
IMG 4. The mosaic of Christ Pantocrator in Hagia Sophia, IMG 5. Ravenna

Istanbul dates back to the 12th century and is one of the finest
examples of Byzantine mosaics
8
2. Migration Period Art

a. Overview
Migration period art refers to the body of art produced by the migrating Germanic tribes from
the early 4th century to the 10th century. During this period, the Germanic tribes in the north
and east of Continental Europe spread out from their homelands to all of Europe.
Their migration activity precipitated the fall of the Roman Empire and reshaped the entire
continent into new political units. Germanic tribes originally adhered to pagan beliefs and
pagan elements are manifest in early migration period art.
Once these tribes gradually Christianized, their art also morphed by mixing together pagan
elements with new Christian themes.
The fact of migration, the wars it led to and the settlement in new places, all contributed as
major themes in the migration period art.
b. Polychrome Style
During the early stages of migration,
some of the Germanic tribes that were
moving developed the polychrome style
of painting.
The Germanic tribes, who were
originating from Eastern Europe and had
been exposed to Asian art as well, are
thought to be the ancestors of this style.
The polychrome style, which involved
employing stone artifacts and lavishly
embellishing them with precious stones,
was most prominently used by Germanic
Goths.
As the Goths invaded Spain and Italy in
Western Europe, they brought the art form
with them. During the fifth century, most
of Western Europe's Germanic tribes
were using the polychrome style.
IMG 5.
4. Sutton Hoo Helmet
IMG 6. Sutton Hoo Helmet
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c. Animal Style
The Germanic tribes originally

adhered to pagan beliefs, with a
significant influence on animal
motifs. These motifs were
significantly popular in the art of the
migrating Germanic tribes from the
5th to 8th centuries. Eastern
European Germanic tribes who were
directly influenced by the art forms
of Eurasian steppes particularly used
animal motifs such as carvings of
different animals and small metal
sculptures depicting animals in
different poses.During the migration
IMG 7. Eagle fibula
period, the Germanic tribes carried
this art form to Northern and Eastern Europe including England and Scandinavia.
d. Germanic and Christian Art Mix
During the migration period, the Germanic tribes

encountered Christianity not long after they arrived
in Western Europe.
As a result, Germanic tribes gradually converted to

Christianity, which served as a crucial source of
identity for these tribes. As a result, Christian and
Biblical themes were incorporated into the artwork
of these tribes, frequently in combination with
pagan themes.
IMG 8. Reliquary Cross
10
3. Byzantine art
a. Overview
The term "Byzantine art" referred to

the creative output of the Eastern
Roman Empire's Byzantium.
Byzantine art was developed from the

arts of the Roman Empire. This art
form embraced classical heritage and
was highly influenced by ancient
Greek and Egyptian art.
Byzantine arts were mostly concerned

with religious expression. One of the
most profound Byzantine art
characteristics was the translation of
church theology into artistic forms
such as sculptures, mosaics, and
paintings.
These art pieces were produced in

IMG 9. Byzantine Empire
such rigid tradition that resulted in a
highly sophisticated artistic style, which had remained unequaled in Western art.
However, Byzantine art was highly marked by the revivals of classical aesthetics. Art
historians believed that it was influenced by new modern aesthetics later on.
b. Byzantine Art Definition

There are several Byzantine art definitions. One defined it as art pertaining to the style
developed and elaborated by Byzantine and its provinces. As per definition, Byzantine art
was chiefly ecclesiastical and highly formal with the use of rich sumptuous tones.
Others said that Byzantine art can be defined as primarily religious and imperial in nature,
which was a result of the autocratic yet religious nature of Byzantine society.
11
Other art historians also believed that this was a result of the empire's economic structure
where the wealth of the empire was concentrated only in the hands of the church and the
imperial government, which may be true at the time since the emperor of Byzantine acted as
the head of the church and the state.
IMG 10. Basilica di Sant'Apollinare in Classe
c. Byzantine Mosaics
A long-standing mosaic making
tradition was passed down to the
Byzantine empire. Early forms of this
type of art were highly successful in
Alexandria and Antioch before
spreading to the Mediterranean, Italy,
and Russia after Constantinople.
Style, culture, and, most significantly,
religion were all present in Byzantine
mosaics. These had a big impact on
Western art.
IMG 11. Christ Pantocrator
12
Despite the fact that mosaics had usually appeared and expanded throughout many historical
eras, Byzantine mosaics rose to prominence as the primary pictorial art form from the 4th
through the 14th centuries.
d. Byzantine Religious Art

Mosaic as an art was not totally an unknown medium before the Byzantine empire began. In
fact, it had been embraced by the Greeks and Romans as a means of decorating surfaces that
were unsuitable for painting.
Mosaic had become a structural part of the wall. Christian artists took this given opportunity
with utmost significance and took it as a perfect vehicle for visual symbolism.
Byzantine religious art and mosaic were exhibited throughout Europe. This has brought about
Byzantine iconography which referred to the distinct style in most Eastern Orthodox religious
images.
IMG 12. Hagia Sophia
13
4. Insular art
a. Overview
IMG 13. Celtic Cross
Insular art refers to the style of art which developed in the British Isles from the late 5th to
8th centuries. During this period, the art of the British Isles at large shared many common
stylistic features.
Insular art evolved directly from the fusion of Anglo-Saxon and Celtic styles of art. Anglo-
Saxons arrived at the British Isles in the 5th century while still being pagan Germanic tribes.
14
After a flurry of rapid activity and the production of many rich pieces of Insular art in the 8th
century, the style declined with the beginning of Viking raids on the British Isles.
b. Insular Art Illuminated Manuscripts
The most iconic example of Insular

art can be found in the illuminated
manuscripts produced in the British
Isles from the 5th to 8th centuries.
In illuminating the manuscripts of the

Insular art, inspiration was also
derived from the intricate metalwork
art of the period. By combining all these elements, the illuminated manuscripts of the Insular
art created a style that was unique in all of Europe.
These manuscripts were typically produced by the monks at the Christian monasteries
situated all over the British Isles by the 7th century.
Some of the most notable examples of illuminated manuscripts in this style include the Book
of Kells, Lindisfarne Gospels, and the Book of Durrow.
c. Insular Art Metalwork
Metalwork was a popular form of art

among the Anglo-Saxons and Celtic
populations of the British Isles even
before the birth of the Insular style of
art.
Once the art traditions of the two

cultures fused as a result of
interactions, the metalwork styles
that resulted were spectacularly
intricate and thorough. IMG 14. Anglosaksų menas
15
Many rare pieces of metalwork done in the Insular style survive to this day. Most notably,
these include the brooches dating from the 5th to 10th centuries. The brooches of the period
are marked for being exceptionally durable and very high quality.
Precious stones and embellishing elements such as colored glass were used to decorate
Insular metalwork. Surviving pieces of Insular metalwork include a large variety of brooches,
church relics such as chalices, and secular jewelry commissioned by wealthy noblemen.
d. Insular Art Sculpture
Another notable medium of the Insular style was religious sculpture. Sculpture became a
popular medium of Insular art only from the 7th century to the 10th century.
During this period, a huge number of highly intricate, elaborately carved, and sculpted stone
crosses were erected all over the British Isles.
Notable features of these crosses included geometrical decorations, the use of carved foliage,
sculpted figures and images related to Biblical themes, and typically, a scene of crucifixion
at the center of the cross.
IMG 15. Ardennes Cross
16
5. Romanesque art
a. Overview
There are two periods that saw the growth

of this art, the Carolingian and Ottoman
periods. The Carolingian period dates
back roughly 120 years from around the
year 780 to 900.
The era during the reign of Charlemagne

and his heirs was commonly referred to as
the Carolingian Renaissance.
Romanesque art was produced under
imperial patronage which belonged to the
monasteries.
People from this group showed quality

workmanship and sophistication of
design in their Romanesque art. They
used a variety of materials which included
metal, enamels, and ivories.
The period is important to the

Romanesque period, basically because it
is in this era whereby the artist borrowed
the concepts of representing the human
IMG 16. Emperor Charlemagne
figure in art form.
Ottonian periods date back to 932 during the reign of the first three Holy Roman Emperors
of the Ottonian Dynasty. The period is mainly associated with most of the illuminated
manuscripts that were very brightly colored.
17
b. Romanesque Art History
Romanesque art dates back to approximately c. 1000 until the rise of the Gothic art style. The
art was widely used by Early Catholic Christians who saw the importance of depicting the
scenes of the bible and human figures in the form of statues.
The art is said to have developed from the two periods, namely the Carolingian and Ottonian
periods. Many concepts used in this art were borrowed from the two predecessor periods.
This includes materials used, art carving mode, and even patronage.
c. Romanesque Art Characteristics
Romanesque Art is characterized by its beautiful style in both painting and sculpture. It is
well represented in the iconic models such as Christ in majesty, scenes from the life of Christ,
and the Last Judgment.
The illuminated Romanesque manuscripts show lavish-colored decorations of the period.

Romanesque art can be seen in the bible and Psalters of the time.
IMG 17. Romanesque Art and Architecture
The colored décor was also in capital columns that were exciting and showed great prowess
and mastery of the design. The art was completed with scenes of several carved figures. At
the start of the period was the use of a large wooden crucifix which is a German innovation.
18
A good example of the use of this art is the statue of the enthroned Madonna which is one of
the best statues showing the sculptural mode of the period.
Compositions had a shallow depth and were flexible so that the historical initials could be
squeezed into shapes. The church tympanums and columns capital was created in this manner.
d. Romanesque Artists
The artists of the period were greatly known and appreciated by society. The iconography
was arrived at after a thorough meeting by the leaders and the patrons of the time.
It took years of experience for the kings and leaders of the time to award an artist a contract
to depict a scene in the Romanesque style.
One of the most famous artists of the Romanesque period is Nicholas of Verdun (1130-1205).
He was a French artist who is famous for his expertise in goldsmiths and enamel carving.
Artists with great experience carried out mosaic-style art. He created figurines, shrines, and
candlesticks decorated with precious stones (Myers and cobblestone)
IMG 18. Three Kings Shrine
Master Hugo’s works span from 1136 to after 1148. He is famous for illuminating the Bury
Bible and making bronze doors.
19
It is believed that the bronze doors for the western entry of the Abbey church, the great bell,
and the carved crucifix with the figures of Mary and Saint John are part of his works.
Finally, he created the ivory of Cloisters cross which presently resides at Cloisters in New
York.
Another famous artist is Gislebertus who was active in the 12th century. He was a French
artist who had great expertise in sculpting. Some of his great works and decorations include
the Cathedral of Saint Lazare in Autun, France.
IMG 19. Saint-Lazare Cathedral
20
e. Romanesque Art Icons
IMG 20. Maria Laach Abbey
Most Romanesque artworks by famous artists exist today and are scattered all over Europe
and the USA. The most valuable ones are kept in museums for safekeeping and to be studied
by historians.
21
The icons include the Carving from Maria Laach Abbey, in the Eifel, Rhineland, scenes
found on capitals depicting the creation and fall of man.
The other episodes in the Old Testament such as Jonah and the whale, and Daniel in the lion’s
den are also part of this iconic art.
The theme of the three kings is well known in Romanesque art. The cloisters of the Santo
Domingo de Silos Abbey are found in Northern Spain.
The doors and walls of catholic churches also portray the icons as seen in the Angouleme
Cathedral in France and Catalonia and Lastly, the pictorial schemes in the door of the church
of Santa Maria at Ripoll.
22
6. Gothic Art
a. Overview
Gothic art was a style of medieval art, it emerged in Northern France and it preceded
Romanesque art in the early 12th century. However, it later spread to other parts of Western
Europe rapidly.
It was largely facilitated by the concurrent growth of Gothic architecture.
IMG 21. Duomo di Orvieto
In the early 14th century

Gothic art developed
and continued to evolve
until the late 15th
century. In most areas,
particularly Germany,
Gothic art continued into
the 16th century and
later subsumed into
IMG 22. Book of hours
Renaissance art.
23
The easily noticeable changes in architecture from Romanesque to Gothic, and vice-versa are
usually used to describe the periods in art in all media.
b. Definition of Gothic Art
Gothic Art is a Medieval Art

Movement that emerged when
Europe was going through a
fundamental transition from the
period commonly referred to as the
‘Dark Ages to the ‘Middle Ages.’
People were innovating new
cultures and lifestyles with each
passing day.
Gothic art developed from around

1120 AD to around 1515 AD. Due
to its creative and unique style over several years, Gothic Art is categorized into three distinct
ages, namely Early, High, and Late Gothic. Since the beginning of this form of art, it has
greatly impacted the forms and styles of art that followed it.
24
c. Early Gothic Art
During the early Gothic period, Christianity was on its evolving stage, art was therefore
created to explain and enhance religion. Due to the high levels of illiteracy, paintings and
sculptures were used as tools for teaching and promoting Christianity.
IMG 23. The Basilica of Saint Denis
The changes in art were evident in most early Gothic Art through the outstanding Gothic
Cathedrals built all over Europe. 1140 became the outset of Early Gothic art on the walls of
the “Basilica of St. Denis,” Paris.
Then it was followed by “Chartres Cathedral” of Paris in 1145.
The most famous artistic cathedrals were located in Northern France in the cities of “Amiens”
and “Reims.” Early Gothic Architecture followed the style of tall and light buildings, flying
buttresses, pointed arches, and glazed windows.
25
d. Late Gothic Art
During the late 14th century, the blending of Italian and Northern European art led to the
strengthening of the International Gothic Style.
Throughout this period, most artists from France and Italy traveled across Europe dispersing
artistic ideas in Italy, France, Germany, England, Bohemia, and Austria.
IMG 24. Gothic cathedral background
26
This style of art had a courtly, noble zest, filled with Flemish anxiety for naturalistic ideas.
Unlike the components that made up Early Gothic Art, this developed style had a distinctive
unified look.
Another strong important factor

during this period that greatly
influenced art was the Black
Death. This horrifying illness
emerged in Europe during the
time of the International Gothic
Style and killed about one-third
IMG 25. Black Death
of the population.
e. Famous Gothic Art
The Medieval era of the late Middle Ages saw the development of Gothic Art and major
improvements in art skills during Medieval Times. During this era, most artists broke away
from the inspirations of Romanesque art and Byzantine Art styles.
By the 14th century, Gothic art had advanced towards a more natural and secular style
referred to as International Gothic.
Gothic artists were the founders of the movement that aimed toward greater realism which
ended in the Renaissance art style. Gothic art was mainly practiced in four primary types
which include:
● Stained glass
● Manuscript illumination
● Frescos
● Panel paintings
Famous Gothic Artists
27
IMG 27. Giotto di Bondone (1267-1337)
IMG 28. Last Judgment
IMG 26. Duccio di Buoninsegna (1255-

1319)
IMG 29. Maesta
28
IMG 28. Ambrogio Lorenzetti (1290-1348)
IMG 30. Annunciation
III. Conclusion
The Middle Ages is one of the longest periods and gives us many good stories. The Middle
Ages was a period that witnessed the development of Europe, which is quite significant.
Medieval art has left us with irreplaceable artistic values. By learning and exploring
medieval art, we can better understand the life, people, religion, lifestyle of medieval
people. Moreover, when we explore medieval art we can see and specifically discover
techniques like painting, sculpting, etc. that medieval people did very well. From there, we
can apply those techniques and modern technologies to create even generally more amazing
art.
29
References
Medieval Chronicles (2014-2023), Medieval Art
https://www.medievalchronicles.com/medieval-art/
Medieval art. Wikipedia
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Medieval_art
Last Judgment. Wikipedia
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Last_Judgment
Duccio. Wikipedia
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Duccio
Ambrogio Lorenzett. Wikipedia
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Ambrogio_Lorenzetti
Renita Shelley (August 2022), Top 8 Famous Gothic Artists
https://art-facts.com/famous-gothic-artists/
Medieval Art: Characteristics and Influences (2020). Invaluable
https://www.invaluable.com/blog/medieval-art/
30

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TRS501.14.

Submitted by Group 4 MANUSCRIPT FOR PRESENTATION

b. Definition of Gothic Art…………………………24

II. Period of Medieval Art

Christian Art refers to the immense volume of art

The most fertile period of Christian art was the

A sizable body of this art survives to this day,

IMG 2. Medieval Pope and his Cardinals

b. Early Christian Art

IMG 3. Boxer at Rest

c. Byzantine Empire with Christian Art

IMG 4. The mosaic of Christ Pantocrator in Hagia Sophia, IMG 5. Ravenna

2. Migration Period Art

The Germanic tribes originally

d. Germanic and Christian Art Mix

During the migration period, the Germanic tribes

As a result, Germanic tribes gradually converted to

IMG 8. Reliquary Cross

The term "Byzantine art" referred to

Byzantine art was developed from the

Byzantine arts were mostly concerned

These art pieces were produced in

b. Byzantine Art Definition

IMG 10. Basilica di Sant'Apollinare in Classe

d. Byzantine Religious Art

IMG 12. Hagia Sophia

IMG 13. Celtic Cross

b. Insular Art Illuminated Manuscripts

The most iconic example of Insular

In illuminating the manuscripts of the

c. Insular Art Metalwork

Metalwork was a popular form of art

Once the art traditions of the two

d. Insular Art Sculpture

IMG 15. Ardennes Cross

There are two periods that saw the growth

The era during the reign of Charlemagne

People from this group showed quality

The period is important to the

b. Romanesque Art History

c. Romanesque Art Characteristics

The illuminated Romanesque manuscripts show lavish-colored decorations of the period.

IMG 17. Romanesque Art and Architecture

IMG 18. Three Kings Shrine

IMG 19. Saint-Lazare Cathedral

e. Romanesque Art Icons

IMG 20. Maria Laach Abbey

It was largely facilitated by the concurrent growth of Gothic architecture.

IMG 21. Duomo di Orvieto

In the early 14th century

b. Definition of Gothic Art

Gothic Art is a Medieval Art

Gothic art developed from around

c. Early Gothic Art

IMG 23. The Basilica of Saint Denis

Then it was followed by “Chartres Cathedral” of Paris in 1145.

d. Late Gothic Art

IMG 24. Gothic cathedral background

Another strong important factor

e. Famous Gothic Art

Famous Gothic Artists

IMG 27. Giotto di Bondone (1267-1337)